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Sturdy and easy to set up, this reflector also allows for pleasing observations of a wide variety of targets
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As ever, Meade has provided a telescope that boasts a superior build over other instruments within its price range. Finished off to a high standard, the manufacturer of the Polaris 114 EQ has provided a very good selection of eyepieces as well as a 2x Barlow lens for low, medium and high magnification that not only saves a dent in the bank balance, saving the observer from having to buy countless accessories, but also ensures that the amateur astronomer has everything they need for an evening under the night sky. Similar to the telescope itself, the accessories are well-made with no signs of finishing glue or stickiness that we’ve encountered with other telescopes below the £300 price range. There were a couple of negative points, however: the red-dot finder’s construction isn’t the best, being made of plastic, but it certainly got the job done. Also, the AutoStar instructional DVD that comes with the telescope is unfortunately unable to be used on a Macintosh computer.
Assembly is quick and easy. While Meade Instruments always provides a comprehensive manual with each of its telescopes, we found the setting up very intuitive to the point that we rarely needed to refer to it, making the 114 EQ ideal for those wanting a telescope that’s quick and easy to set up, doesn’t want their observing time cut into or those who are in the early stages of learning their way around the night sky. If you’re used to using a ’scope that employs an alt-azimuth mount then you may find the setting up and use of the Polaris 114
EQ’s German equatorial quite tricky. However, full guidance is provided in the supplied manual, which is packed with very useful information. If you’re unsure of how to get the best out of an equatorial mount then we advise doing a bit of research on them before you get stuck into your observations. Polar aligning is an easy task once the observer knows how to use this type of mount.
We had an excellent run of clear skies throughout January and, combined with a dark-sky site, the night sky was our oyster. Being a reflector the Polaris 114 EQ allows you to choose between a selection of deep-sky and Solar System targets – small-aperture refractors seem to fare better with bright targets, such as the planets and the Moon.
Observing just before dawn gave us the opportunity to make the most of gas giant Jupiter, shining at a dazzling magnitude of -1.82. Views of the planet were clear and crisp thanks to the refractor’s optics, which have been smothered with antireflection coating. Through the field of view we were treated to a pale disc, with the Galilean moons strung out either side of the gas giant's limbs as points of light. Peripheral vision afforded us the opportunity to spot the planet's equatorial bands.
We were keen to enhance our viewing experience so included a selection of coloured filters – orange,